Philadelphia holidays

Compare the best Philadelphia holidays

Philadelphia holidays can be spent diving into the history books, with the chance to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, or you can soak up the atmosphere of a modern and cosmopolitan city emerging from its industrial past like a butterfly from a cocoon.

Why go?

Watch as the history books of the USA come alive during holidays in Philadelphia...

The city of brotherly love or just plain old Philly, whatever you call Philadelphia, make sure that the city is a port of call on your next trip to the US.

Located in Pennsylvania, on the east coast of America, the city is within easy reach of other tourist hubs such as Washington DC and New York City, making it an ideal destination for a twin-centre break or a road trip.

Philadelphia played an instrumental role as a meeting place for the Founding Fathers during the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence was signed here in 1776 and many Americans make the pilgrimage to Philadelphia to discover more about the birth of their modern nation.

The city caters well for tourists, with many good hotels and plenty of fantastic bars and restaurants. The essential bite to eat in Philadelphia is a Philly cheesesteak, which is a sandwich stuffed with thin pieces of steak and melted cheese. Or you could get your chops around a pretzel, which was introduced to the state by German immigrants in the 19th century. Perhaps you'd like to spread some Philadelphia on your bagel – the famous cream cheese brand is named for the city. Reading Terminal Market is a great place to pick up food bargains.

Once you've had your fill, you can tour the city's sights to work off the calories. An essential stop for this cause is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you'll find the famous “Rocky Steps” – run up the steps and recreate the famous scene featuring Sylvester Stallone.

A more sedate tour should take in Independence National Historical Park, which is home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Other places to visit include: the National Constitution Center, an interactive museum; Longwood Gardens; Franklin Institute; and the art and horticulture of the Barnes Foundation.

Family holidays can be filled with trips to Franklin Square, which features a playground, full of fun for all the family, while a drive to the 16th-century army camp at Valley Forge National Historical Park will rouse young imaginations.

Music lovers will swing to the beat of Philly Soul music in Philadelphia, while music buffs will know that the city hosted the American leg of the global Live Aid concerts in 1985.

Many tourists also head out of the city for a day to explore Pennsylvania and the fascinating communities within it. The Pennsylvania Dutch, including the Amish, reside here and many choose to live simple lives without electricity or modern technology. There are a number of tourist centres where you can learn more.

The city of Philadelphia is the perfect holiday destination for anyone with an interest in America, or if you simply enjoy cities with lots to do and a buzzing nightlife scene.

To get your Philadelphia adventure under way, check prices for holidays to the American city on TravelSupermarket using our simple search tool.

When to go?

Philadelphia changes with the seasons, so decide if you want hot and humid or cold and crisp for your holidays to Philadelphia...

Philadelphia features hot and humid summers and cold winters. July can be oppressive, with high humidity and high rainfall. Many visitors choose to holiday in Philadelphia in spring and autumn, when temperatures are still warm but the humidity has diminished. Winter is beautiful in Philly, with crisp days and flurries of snow.

What’s on?

Philadelphia hosts some great festivals throughout the year. Add extra spice to your holiday when you attend any of these events…

Jam on the River; May: Penn's Landing is where the music is at during this annual festival. Thousands line the waterfront to see a diverse line up of artists.

July 4th celebrations: Be in the birthplace of America to celebrate Independence Day. As you'd expect, this is a massive party. A spectacular show of fireworks round off the festivities.
Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe; September: The city is alive with live performances of music, dance, comedy, theatre and a variety of other wild and wacky things during this annual funfest. Festival organisers are particularly proud of their family-friendly shows.

What to do?

Take in the arts or go on a shopping spree. There’s no shortage of things to do in Philly...

Grown-up families: Philadelphia has a thriving arts scene. One of the first ports of call should be the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The steps leading up to the main building were triumphantly scaled by a jogging Sylvester Stallone during a famous scene from Rocky.

Shopping: Philadelphia boasts a wonderfully varied mix of shopping districts throughout the city and is also home to several tax-free shopping centres.

Nightlife: The city is as well known for its nightlife as it is for its history. Late-night bars and restaurants are thriving here, and Philadelphia is also home to a handful of excellent nightclubs.